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Fatty acid production in Schizochytrium sp.: Involvement of a polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase and a type I fatty acid synthase

  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

Schizochytrium sp. is a marine microalga that has been developed as a commercial source for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22∶6 ω−3), enriched biomass, and oil. Previous work suggested that the DHA, as well as docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22∶5 ω−6), that accumulate in Schizochytrium are products of a multi-subunit polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase (1). Here we show data to support this view and also provide information of other aspects of fatty acid synthesis in this organism. Three genes encoding subunits of the PUFA synthase were isolated from genomic DNA and expressed in E. coli along with an essential accessory gene encoding a phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase). The resulting transformants accumulated both DHA and DPA. The ratio of DHA to DPA was approximately the same as that observed in Schizochytrium. Treatment of Schizochytrium cells with certain levels of cerulenin resulted in inhibition of 14C acetate incorporation into short chain fatty acids without affecting labeling of PUFAs, indicating distinct biosynthetic pathways. A single large gene encoding the presumed short chain fatty acid synthase (FAS) was cloned and sequenced. Based on sequence homology and domain organization, the Schizochytrium FAS resembles a fusion of fungal FAS β and α subunits.

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Abbreviations

ACP:

acyl carrier protein

ARA:

arachidonic acid (C20∶4 ω−6)

bp:

nucleotide base pair

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid (C22∶6 ω−3)

DPA:

docosapentaenoic acid (C22∶5, this study refers exclusively to DPA ω−6)

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid (C20∶5 ω−3)

IPTG:

isopropyl-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside

KAS:

β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase

LC-PUFA:

those PUFA with carbon chain lengths greater than 18

Orf:

open reading frame

Orf B* :

Schizochytrium PUFA synthase Orf B modified for expression in E. coli

PKS:

polyketide synthase

PPTase:

phosphopantetheinyl transferase

RBS:

ribosome binding site

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Author notes

  1. D. Guerra

    Present address: United States Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Martek Biosciences Boulder Corporation, 4909 Nautilus Court North, Suite 208, 80301, Boulder, Colorado

    A. Hauvermale, J. Kuner, B. Rosenzweig, S. Diltz & J. G. Metz

  2. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO

    A. Hauvermale & D. Guerra

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  1. A. Hauvermale
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  2. J. Kuner
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  6. J. G. Metz
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Correspondence to J. G. Metz.

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Hauvermale, A., Kuner, J., Rosenzweig, B. et al. Fatty acid production in Schizochytrium sp.: Involvement of a polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase and a type I fatty acid synthase. Lipids 41, 739–747 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-006-5025-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-006-5025-6

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